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Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Pakistan Navy's First Type-054AP FFG Ready For Commissioning

The Pakistan Navy’s (PN) first of four Type-054AP guided-missile frigates (FFG) is expected to be commissioned early next month at China's Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, following which the FFG will undertake its voyage to Pakistan, with replenishment-related port-calls being made in Malaysia and Singapore, and possibly in The Maldives and Sri Lanka as well. 

The PN had on June 1, 2019 inked a contract with CSTC for procuring two additional 4,000-tonne FFGs to add to the first two it had ordered exactly a year ago. The signing ceremony took place at Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production in Rawalpindi in the presence of the PN’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi. All four FFGs will be delivered by mid-2022. Designed by the China International Shipbuilding Corp (CISC) Group’s 701 Institute, the FFGs will be built by the Shanghai-based Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co.

The 4,000-tonne FFG’s design is derived from that of the PLA Navy’s Type 054A FFG. It will have an endurance of 21 days, length of 135 metres, range of 4,000 nautical miles (when cruising at 18 Knots) and top speed of 26 Knots. It will have 32 vertical-launch system (VLS) cells containing the LY-80N surface-to-air missiles (SAM), one 76mm HPJ-26 main naval gun, two 30mm HPJ-17 30mm Type 1130 close-in guns, a 24-cell FL-3000N point-defence missile system (PDMS), twin ET-52C triple-tube torpedo  launchers, one mast-mounted SR-2410C S-band active phased-array radar developed by the China Educational Instrument & Equipment Corp (CEIEC), twin six-barrel Type 87 240mm anti-submarine rocket launchers (with 36 rockets), twin Type 726-4 18-tube decoy rocket launchers, and eight inclined launchers housing the Harba anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) variant of the Babur land-attack cruise missile (which itself is a China-developed clone of the Ukraine-developed Korshun cruise missile). However, it is expected that the ASCMs will be inter-changeable with eight inclined launchers of the 290km-range P-282/CM-401 hypersonic land-attack missile.

All four FFGs will be optimised for anti-submarine fleet control missions. Each FFG will be powered by four SEMT Pielstick 16 PA6 STC diesel engines.

The SR-2410C radar can track up to 150 targets per rotation. Limitations include air targets over Mach 3 and at ranges of more than 150km. The radar has a fire-control capability to track anti-ship cruise missiles, but only at a maximum range of 60km. It is also capable of tracking moving ground vehicles and surface ships. This radar has already been installed on the Bangladesh Navy’s first two Type 056 guided-missile corvettes—BNS Shongram and BNS Prottasha.

Overhead View Of PLAN Type-055 DDG

54 comments:

VIKRAM GUHA said...

Prasun Da,

Today India tested the AGNI-5 ballistic missile.

1. Is it's range in excess of 5000kms?

2. Why were MIRVs not tested?

Thank You

Kapil said...

Prasun da, the PN is perhaps undergoing its biggest expansion in history. These Chinese ships along with Turkish Milgem class ships will greatly expand PN capabilities which currently is nothing more than a coastal patrolling force. We will of course continue to have a far more powerful navy but the induction of these modern warships could be a threat to us in the future.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To VIKRAM GUHA: Here is the official statement: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1767034

Nowhere is it stated in that statement whether MIRVs were tested or not. Perhaps your assumptions about the non-use of MIRVs are based on this erroneous news-report:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-successfully-test-fires-surface-to-surface-ballistic-missile-agni-5/articleshow/87315237.cms

The 'desi patrakaar' who drafted such a report obviously can't distinguish between total payload capacity (1.5 tonnes) & total weight of an individual warhead (150kg). In fact, in an Agni-V ICBM, there are four MIRVs as warheads & four decoys.

But I'm glad that the GoI has started using the phrase 'credible minimum deterrent' (which I had explained 4 years ago) instead of the earlier 'minimum credible deterrent' of 1998 vintage.

To KAPIL: The four Type-054AP FFGs are meant to replace the six Type-21 Amazon-class FFGs that the PN had procured in the 1990s. The PN's expanding fleet strength won't ever pose any credible threat to India, kindly rest assured.

To KAUSTAV: Bandalbaaz’s Analysis of LAC Standoff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xaYtb99GO8

While on one hand Pakistan denies the involvement of its citizens in acts of terrorism inside India, on the other hand it is now alleging that one of its incarcerated citizens (who was arrested on charges of being a terrorist inside J & K) was recently killed by Indian security forces inside J & K:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjOiSFqkq24

And, as expected, Saudi Arabia has yet again provided financial assistance to Pakistan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg4MJIW5Vik

Perhaps this also is a backdoor way of bailing out the Taliban in Afghanistan by facilitating Pakistan's trade & commerce with Afghanistan.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

And here's ultimate proof of China's inability to develop full-flight tactical training simulators for its frontline MRCAs, which has prompted the PLAAF to procure tandem-seat operational conversion trainer variants of such MRCAs:

J-20 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FCs0A3uVQAEZUY0?format=jpg&name=large

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z1KPkvUBic

In fact, such full-flight tactical training simulators also don't exist for either the J-10 or JF-17.

Anonymous said...

Prasunda,

In the previous thread, you said an A-5 can carry five warheads. Here, you say four. Is our the usual loading with five being the maximum payload capability ?

T9BK8

rad said...


HI prasun
Is it not wise to team up with russia who is far ahead of everyone in hypersonics to make a glide weapon similar to the chinese.
why did the mirage -2k crash?
whats the idea od china massing troops and armament against india when they dont have the gall to attack fearing the drubbing they learnt from the indian troops in galwan . That would have been a shock to PLA about the training and josh of the indian trooper.
Is the current IAF chief rational in not supporting the LCA mk2 Vs amca .Like u said how can we aford 2 fighter develpment programs not taking into ac the tedbf?
The people in ada and ade seem confident about the AMCA? do they know what they have bitten into? where do we have the material tech to make radar absorbing material?

hoods007 said...

Hi Prasun

The PLAN has type 54 FFG and Type 52D DDG which are equipped with a VHF radar apart from S/C band radars. the Chinese boast that these radars gives them some ability to detect F-22, F-35 even if not giving them a SAM firing solution( they claim when operating near Chinese mainland or near a PLAN Carrier group they can vector in a IRST equipped Fighter to intercept stealth fighters after vlf radar detection). does Indian navy need to start thinking of equiping the next generation of destroyer/ frigate with atleast a AESA UHF radar apart from the primary S band Aesa radar or will L band Aesa suffice to counter any threat from carrier launched J-35s or even the upcoming PLA stealth bomber.

Raghu said...

Hi Prasun,

Looks like all neighbouring countries of Afghanistan are working to ease the situation there.

https://www.newsweek.com/china-russia-iran-pakistan-united-front-afghanistan-1643219

There was also a report in Russian media saying that the conference held in Moscow resolved to maintain the territorial integrity of Afganistan. ISIS seem to be the main target of both the Americans, Russians and the CARs.

India's role seems to be reducing except in providing humanitarian aid to the Afghans through Iran.

Regards,

Raghu

Karnflakes said...

What do you think are the concessions
that KSA has extracted from Pakistan ? My money is on keeping turkey at bay or dare say ..silence when they recognize Israel?

Rajesh Mishra said...

A great leap in right direction by India regarding the AGNI-3.

Rajesh Mishra said...

Sorry Sir, it was AGNI-5.

Anonymous said...

Another episode of bombastic claims- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6JeaNowm7Y

Santosh said...

Sir CDS Bipin Rawat ji and Current air chief creating confusion
Will india procure 36 additional Rafale or go for 114 jet tender
Any timeline which u think
Sir wat is Ur view on rustam 2 with new 220 HP engine?
Sir why navy is not ordering 3 additional scorpion submarine?
Why IA is not willing to order ATGS and ultra light kalyani steel made fun of 6.5 ton?
Don't u think it will be great assets for IA near LAC?
Will IA purchase 400 Athos 2052?
Sir india is purchasing five S 400 batteries or batallion?
Will it be used by IAF or by forces to protect capital and other critical infrastructure
Sir could u please tell me or share me some threads comparing desi Netra AWACS with Pak operating SAB based AwACS?
How good is desi Netra AWACS compared to Chinese AWACS
Is india considering buying 15 more Chinook and 6 more c 130j?
Is india serious on procuring 30 MQ 9?
Don't u think 3 billion dollar is too costly?

Parthasarathi said...

Prasunda,
Is there any news on Brahmos Mark 2 ? That semi-hypersonic missile supposeD to test flight last year.
Best regards

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To T9BK8: The following videos provide both images & data that answer your questions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0RezYDIqSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP4svuPIe9M

To RAD: 1) Where’s the need for HGVs when fully-powered manoeuvrable hypersonic missiles like BrahMos-2/Zircon are available? 2) The IAF is maintaining a thunderous silence about the Mirage-2000TH crash. 3) The PLAGF forces are massed about 200km away from the LAC. In the northeast, the PLAGF training areas are all to the north of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. 4) The present IAF’s CAS, like his predecessor, wants to be seen as someone who is focussed on Gen-5 MRCAs & hence he stays quiet about the Gen-4 MWF. 5) Be it the IAF or ADA, development of the Gen-5 AMCA will not be as easy & quick as it is being made out to be. Even a developed country like Japan has had to seek assistance from BAE Systems for developing its own homegrown Gen-5 MRCA.

https://airborne-sys.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ASG-FireFly-20170207-English.pdf

https://airborne-sys.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ASG-RA-1-20170203-English.pdf

The Firefly GPS-guided parachute is what was showcased last week by the IA in Assam. The RA-1 parachute on the other hand is used by the Special Frontier Force & the IA’s & IN’s Para SF & MARCOS.

To HOODS007: For the IN, L-band, S-band & X-band active phased-array & planar-array radars are more than enough to detect & track non-stealthy MRCAs like the J-15 & J-20. Neither the PLAAF nor PLAN will be able to field any type of stealthy combat aircraft forat least another 15 years.

To RAGHU: No one in the world wants to accommodate any influx of Afghan refugees. Hence, everyone is verring toward the supply of humanitarian assistance that will be channelled & distributed through UN agencies. Hence, no one will step forward to formally recognise the Taliban-led govt, since recognition will only serve to legitimise the coming to power through armed insurrection—something that is banned under the UN Charter.

To KARNFLAKES: 1) Buying Pakistan’s silence after the KSA formally establishes diplomatic ties with Israel. 2) Preventing Turkey from establishing a parallel OIC-type body.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To DASHU: LoLz! Such folks have a truly bizarre methodology for defining terms like desi & indigenous, leave alone quantifying them.

Why Pakistan is an Overmatch for India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyY61bCqht0

Gen Bipin Rawat’s Latest Soundbytes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm1FTFliSRk

At last Chushul has a 4-G cellphone tower:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FCkBIUSVIAISG9n?format=jpg&name=medium

But in the area directly above Fingers 2 & 3 north of Panggong Tso, China is preventing Ladakhi heders from accessing the grazing areas & is instead forcing small bands of nomadic Tibetan herders to visit that area:

https://twitter.com/kstanzinladakh/status/1451564468228395013

Marsimik La Pastures: 34 5 9.23 N, 78 38 41.15 E

To SANTOSH: 1) 114 Rafales will be ordered as the MRFA. 2) 5 Sqns of S-400 LR-SAM. 3) ATHOS-2052 will not be procured.

To PARTHASARATHI: BrahMos-2/Zircon is truly hypersonic, not semi-hypersonic. The Zircon indeed underwent a series of individual test-firings from Russia’s new-generation warships last year. Salvo firings will soon take place before the Zircon enters service by early next year.

To BUDDHA: Ancient structures on Moon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDaki5cSNFg&t=33s

What influenced India’s ancient temple architecture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIBR4ZSnSFQ&t=23s

And how it is being mis-interpreted today in India:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB6MLSeISuM&t=63s

Srinivasa Ramanujan's Visions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNFfZ3MU1nQ

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

https://theprint.in/india/cbi-arrests-navy-commander-2-retired-officers-for-allegedly-leaking-information-on-submarines/757006/

https://www.firstpost.com/india/from-2005-naval-war-room-leak-to-2021s-submarine-leak-recounting-indian-navys-major-security-breaches-10089121.html

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ins-ranjit-double-murder-throwback-1518673-2019-05-06

Ret’d Lt Cdr Ravi Shankaran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVqPUyIrDCk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BE1iz09CA0

Ret’d Lt Cdr Ravi Shankaran, a clearance diving officer by vocation, was 16 years ago part of a Mumbai-based business team that wanted to bid for the IN's then plans for modifying the INS Nireekshak (A15) diving-support vessel for the sake of hosting a DSRV that the IN was then trying to procure from Ocean Works of Canada:

http://www.oceanworks.com/admin/sitefile/1/files/OW%20Military%20Trifold_2017.pdf

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_RgQqP0FINU/UkI6krT-ZVI/AAAAAAAAF1c/qxD449Pniso/s1600/REMORA+RORV.jpg

However, following the Naval War Room Leaks incident in 2005, the DSRV offer from Ocean Works was rejected by the MoD. Now, it seems that UK-based Ravi Shankaran now wants to become an approver & return back to India. And this at a time when another naval business syndicate has been busted & it is related to what follows below:

In July 2018 the Indian Navy finalised a contract with Russia’s Severodvinsk-based shipbuilder Zvezdochka State Machine-Building Enterprise for refitting and upgrading four Type 877EKM SSKs in June 2019. The extensive refits, the value for which was pegged at Rs 5,000 crore for a total of four submarines, were to not only extend the life of the SSKs but were also to upgrade their combat potential. The first SSK to be sent was the INS Sindhukesari that is now being fitted with 3M14E Klub LACMs. The Sindhukesari, which got its first refit in 1999-2001, is also being fitted with several Indian systems, including navigational and communication equipment. The idea of a second mid-life refit of Type 877EKM SSKs had been discussed between Russia and India since 2010. While the first of the four SSKs were to be upgraded at Severodvinsk in Russia, the plan was to upgrade the remaining three in an Indian yard as part of the 'Make in India' initiative. Zvezdochka, which is the Russian yard tasked with the modernisation process, had already tied up with Reliance Defence to upgrade the submarines at the Pipavav-based shipyard in Gujarat. However, the IN in 2019 decided to award the medium-refit and upgrading contract to Zvezdochka for both INS Sindhushastra S-64 (which was commissioned on May 16, 2000) and INS Sindhudhvaj S-56.—all this being confirmed by the MoD way back in September 2013. INS Sindukesari S-60 is currently proceed to Severodvnsk for its final SLEP. In late July 2021 Zvezdochka Shipyard made a formal offer for the sale of three 20-year-old upgraded Type 877EKM SSKs to India at a token price of Rs.1 each. In a presentation made to Admiral Singh, Moscow wants India to pay only for the approximate $250 million refit cost of each SSK (Rs 1,857 crore) so that they can operate for another 15 years.

Raghu said...

Hi Prasun

As per this report, if true, the Chinese are expanding their military footprint in Tajikistan

https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-approves-chinese-base/31532078.html

Is Russia facilitating this? They have a CSTO and other treaties with the CARs to provide security to the region. In any case. I don't see India gaining anything from extended Chinese influence in this region including Afghanistan

Regards

Raghu

Raghu said...

Hi

Some updates on the activities of the NRF in Afghanistan

https://mobile.twitter.com/alinazary

Regards

Anonymous said...

This man Praveen Sawhney is another Bhadrakumar. Both give plausible and logical arguments in support of their main argument, which in turn appear to be preconceived, giving the unmistakable impression of being part of the hybrid warfare of the other side.
It's one thing to be a skeptic, quite another to behave like a propagandist for the other side. There are better ways of countering the uninformed itch for war which is aplenty in today's India, and quite another to overlook or tacitly justify adversaries' unreasonable acts, and run down everything Indian.
Anil Sharma

rad said...


HI prasun
you said that the chines cant field any stealthy fighter in the next 15 years do you accpet that the J-20 is not stealthy?. dont you think the AMCA will turn out the same? Its better to call it low observable rather than stealthy and embarase ourselves.?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAGHU: If China is funding the construction of new garrisons inside Tajikistan, then it must be doing so with Russia's approval.

To ANIL SHARMA: That's what information warfare is all about, i.e. tryng to mould & manage perceptions--a tradecraft the Govt of India's isn't adept at, at all, as evidenced by the statements given out by the MEA's successive spokespersons every passing day since the 1990s.

To RAD: The laws of physics dictate that any canard-equipped aircraft can't be stealthy, regardless of what I accept or don't accept. AMCA won't have canards.

Sumeet said...

Prasunji, how come than J 20 has canards and is still considered shealth

shukant chatrath said...

Why Pakistan is an Overmatch for India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyY61bCqht0

The opinions raised by the presenter were quite an eye opener.

Sir just wanted to know your thoughts on the video's subject and if allowed what will be your suggestions/recommendations to the military planners on what should be done and If they are actually doing the same cause I am sure some one in the higher command would have come to the same conclusions and possibly raised an alarm for the same.

nag said...

Dada im puzzled why on earth agni5 with 17.5m x 2m size and mass of 50000kg has a range of only 5000km where as most of mordern SLBM's are less than 13m in length weighing farless have more than double the range of agni. second puzzle is when all MIRV capable missiles have rounded blunt nose cap agni5 has conical nose similar to all other single warhead missiles.

just_curious said...

Prasun,

1-China gets another military base in Tajikistan --https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZDJjzaDC7w
what is your view on this
2-you seem to suggest that MFRA is now a done deal ..where is the money for this? & why spend so much on them by the time we get all it will be well into the 2040's that too for another screw driver job. Also I recollect you mention that shifting the whole assembly line for a 4.5gen class aircraft is simply not feasible. Why not put that money for say tempest/NGAD/FCAS or simply for a desi engine
3- won't the HGV have a much greater reach than BrahMos-2/Zircon. the recent chinese test flew half the globe?
4- how much of IRNSS guidance is being incorporated in indian defence equipments
5 - does the Saudi alms to the perennial beggar have a tactical US reason too- agreement to use porki bases for surveillance & attack on afghans hostile to US interests in the country?

SUJIT said...

Prasun sir,
1- can't mazgaon dock stretch the hull of scorpene on its own? Just like what the south koreans did with chang bogo class..stretched the hull domestically and sold it to indonesia..
2- it seems the Indian navy is very keen on lithium-ion battery tech..how far are we on this niche tech?
3- how come the south koreans were able to sell their chang bogo class which basically is a type 209 class submarine without any objection of IPR rights from the germans?? Same with the dosan ahn changho which is basically an enlarged type 214?
4- do we have the capability to develop our own electrical motor for submarine?
5- does the present aip developed by drdo is capable of recharging lithium-ion battery?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Transfer of Technology for TRBL-developed warhead for Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Mk-II was handed over by TBRL to Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur on the occasion:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1767199

Very interesting & intriguing to see a high-level foeign military official being welcomed to a conflict zone by the IA & the Indian MoD authorising such a visit:

https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1453724933289242631

What exactly are the 'Angrezi Firangis/Goraas' up to this time?

7th FFG of Project 1135.6 class--INS Tushil--launched at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, on 28 October 2021 by Smt Datla Vidya Varma in presence of Shri D Bala Venkatesh Varma, Ambassador. Note the new stern design for housing the ATLAS Elektronik ACTAS activer/passive ultra low-frequency towed-array sonar suite:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FCz6M6tVgAE79eZ?format=jpg&name=large

Sanjay said...

Mr.Prasun

It is indeed very interesting how did the MOD or MEA allow a Foreign Military Official to visit J&K?

The Brits would only want to mediate between us and Paks behind closed doors so forget POK.

As I had mentioned earlier our Army Chief visited UK some time back and met their CDS and CGS as if to look to India's North not West.

Thank you

Sanjay

Sudipta said...

Prasun Da, I think something is cooking regarding POK. You said POK will be liberated with the support of USA & it's allies. And British Army Chief visiting Chinar Corps as it is familiar and acclimatized with the terrain and shall be primary pillar for ground strike force or ground control force after liberation. As fate of Afghanistan is dependent on liberation of POK. America needs to save their face as they are publicly named & shamed for Taliban takeover which they never anticipated and its already more than a decade they didn't have a war. Chinese wants to prevent it that's why they are fielding such huge manpower & weapons if need arise to stage a warlike situation and prevent IA & IAF adventure in POK. Please share your thoughts on the situation.

সুমন্ত নাগ said...

Long Range Bomb has been tested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmbmGVOFOoA&t=87s

rad said...

hi prasun
give us more info on this long range bpomb

KIDDO said...

Dear Prasun

1. It seems like every few months I keep asking about you the IN's Tanker procurement!! Now that buying them from Turkey is out of the question, what happens to that process?? Fully scrapped and start from scratch with a new RFI?

2. Could u elaborate a bit on the Delhi-class upgrade programme

3. Just in the last month we have have seen visits from the US Naval Chief, British CDS as well as the their Army CGS visiting Kashmir. Not to mention the Dutch Navy posting a permanent officer at the Naval-IFC in Gurgaon (to add to the Brits, Americans, Aussies etc already present). This is on top of all the frantic pace of Naval exercises in Arabian Sea/BoB/SCS and Japan/Guam/Pacific in last few months.

Plus Blue Flag in Israel (with the added development of a so-called "Mid East QUad") and the upcoming IAF exercises in Japan (where I am hoping Taiwan will send a team of ROC-AF observers - at least covertly).
What do u make of these rapid developments all happening in quick succession?

Thanks

Parth said...

Hi Prasun Dada,

INS Tushil is Talwar class and seems to have Shtil-1 SAM. Was the issue with Shtil ever resolved? I remember even you had mentioned about it on your blogs a few years ago.

Warm Regards,
Parth

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ANIL SHARMA & SHUKANT CHATRATH: Here are my responses: 1) At both strategic & operational levels, the PA was convincingly defeated by India in 1965, 1971 & 1999. And there’s nothing to indicate that the PA has learnt anything from its successive defeats. Back in 1965 the PA WRONGLY assessed that India won’t attack anywhere outside J & K & yet India opened a second fron against Pakistani Punjab. In 1971 the PA attacked with almost four Divisions in Chhamb against the IA’s 10 Infantry Division & the GOC-in-C of the PA Corps got so overwhelmed by the command & control challenges/demands that he tried to make sense of the ground situation by repeatedly flying in a helicopter over the battle zone & thus ended up dead due to the helicopter crash. And despite attacking Poonch with 2 Brigades, the IA’s defending 93 Brigade not only waeded off such attacks, but also ended up capturing the dominating Nangi Tekri. And everyone knows about the PA’s disaster at Longewala. And again in 1999 the PA decided to go on the offensive without taking the PAF & PN into confidence & thus ended up getting overwhelmed by the IAF’s superior offensive airpower. Thus, no jointness/tri-services synergy was displayed back then & the procurement of LY-80E LOMADS & HQ-9/FD-2000 HIMADS by the PA now yet again reveals that the PA is in no mood to embrace jointness/synergy even in both the planning & execution phases of any campaign.

2) The PA today is faced with defending both its western & eastern borders & simple mathematics will reveal that it cannot fight simultaneously on both fronts, given its paucity of resources. In fact, contrary to the ISI’s expectations about a civilian govt of national unity emerging in Kabul, to day the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is nothing else but a weaponised & intolerant entity that will not only go down & disintegrate, but will also cause Pakistan to descend into complete socio-economic chaos by extending support to sectarian movements like the TLP, which will question all the hypocracies that Pakistan’s rulers have engaged in from 1948 itself (when the first mass massacres of Shias of Gilgit took place) by weaponising reliogisity in the name of creating an Islamic Republic. Consequently, due to all this, as of now, the PA is vastly conventionally inferior at the operational level.

3) Nor can the militaries of China & Pakistan ever practice inter-operability or combined operations simply due to the language factor. On top of that, there’s the demonstrable poor product-support practices of the China’s based weapons-manufacturing OEMs, & Pakistan’s reliance on the easily interdictable supply-routes through either the sea or the Karakoram Highway. So, operational sustenance goes down the tube as well.

4) As for cyber war or digital warfare using AI, the mere fact that China has been laying fibre-optic cables throughout the LAC inducates that the PLA has no faith (I.e. its existing military comms networks are obsolete & highly vulnerable) in wireless comms using AI-based algorithms & will therefore not engage in any offensive ground campaigns in territories where secure, buried fibre-optic cables are not available to it. Hence, to claim that cyber warfare tools will be employed by China to disrupt Indian military networks & infrastructure is totally untrue & technologically irrational. Lastly, irregulars unlike 2965 cannot be pushed en masses across the LoC anymore due to the existence of fences & counter-infiltration grids erected by the IA.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SUMEET: Onjly internet fanboys ASSUME that the J-20 is stealthy. No one else does.

To NAG: What you must take note of is that SLBMs can have greater airframe diameter since they are loaded on to SSBNs by giant cranes at naval bases. Hence, SLBMs with greater airframe diameter can also then become shorter. ICBMs on the ither hand are stored in semi-recessed manner & are fully assembled only prior to launch & so the various stages will have to be taken to the final-assembly sites by either road or rail or by air on board C-17A Globemasters. This then means that the stages will have to be thinner & taller in order make them easily transportable. Why else do you think the IAF has gone on an overdrive to build dual-use emergency runways on existing national highways, but have never shown the C-17As landing on or taking off from such emergency runways?

To JUST_CURIOUS: 1) It is FAKE NEWS. What China is doing is the financing of the construction of a new garrison inside Tajikistan along Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. 2) What I am emphatically stating is that the Rafale will be selected as the MRFA, i.e. 114 additional Rafales will be ordered. 3), the HGV won’t have greater range, but its launch missile would & hence such launch missiles are vulnerable to BMD networks. The HGV is a glide vehicle & hence won’t be manoeuvrable, when compared to a fully-powered hypersonic missile. The HGV is therefore not a missile. Instead, it is a gliding air-vehicle that cannot undertake any evasive manoeuvres. 4) All DRDO-developed long-range PGMs will have NAVIC receivers. 5) Probably so.

To SUJIT: 1 & 3) South Korea in the late 1980s had inserted a clause in its original contract with HDW/TKMS that it wll be able to export such SSKs that were licence-built by South Korean shipyards. The Indian contract with HDW in the early 1980s or the contract with France’s Naval Group had no such clauses & hence India does not have access to any of the design-specific IPRs related to the Scorpene SSK. 2) India has not achieved any technological competency in this field. 4) Yes. 5) Yes.

To SANJAY & SUDIPTA: It can mean 2 things: 1) Whereas previously, only military attaches were allowed by the GoI to visit J & K, the allowing of a high-ranking military official to make an official visit indicates that the UK has at last discarded its earlier stance about J & K being a disputed territory & is now actively supporting India’s PoV about J & K being an integral part of India. 2) It can also be seen as a firm signalling by the UK to its PoK-orgin & Pakistan-origin citizens to fall in-line & stop indulging in unlawful acts like stabbing UK MPs & harassing Indian diplomats at the Indian High Commission in London. Lastly, it is also possible that just like the US Special Operations Command, the Britush Army wants to learn from the IA on the intricacies of high-altitude mountain warfare—something that should come in handy when operating in the northern portions of Afghanistan.

To RAD: SUMANTA NAG has already shared the video containing the data that you need. However, such long-range gliding PGMs are not laser-guided (as it is a technological impossibility) & instead ose fibre-optic gyro-based inertial measurement unit (IMU).

To KIDDO. 1) Yes, unless NaMo strikes a deal with his Italian counterpart under which a G-to-G agreement will see Fincantieri supplying more such tankers to the IN to add to the 2 it has already supplied, or making a deal between Fincantieri & Mumbai-based MDSL under which MDSL will licence-build such vessels. 2) There’s nothing new to elaborate upon. 3) Have already elaborated on those in my reply immediately above. As for Blue Flag-2021, such exercises help a lot by facilitating exchanges of operational experiences & operating prototcols with experienced air forces.

Arup said...

What I am emphatically stating is that the Rafale will be selected as the MRFA, i.e. 114 additional Rafales will be ordered

Prasunda - why you think so? You generally never speculate that's why the question.whats the rationale / your appreciation of the situation that you thin so?

Is India going down with France the Russian mode wherein they buy Rafale and also get some key strategic technology and keep a P5 on its side or something more. Essentially wanted your appreciation of the same. Regds

Maheswaran Selvaraj said...

Hi Prasun, Could you please tell what is status NAG & QRSAM induction ? is it already ordered by armed forces or still user trials are going on ?

Kaustav said...

Prasunda

Thank you for so many pointers & as the Chinese curse goes - We live in Interesting times with Popular misconception Chinese for opportunity & crises staring at us everywhere

To add to this, what is one supposed to make of this bit of widely reported half assed news

Assembly of PSLV stopped to involve private sector in space missions - https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/261021/assembly-of-pslv-stopped-to-involve-private-sector-in-space-missions.html

Is this unnecessary news, shprtage of semiconductors fhough apprrntly, India has fabricated it's own SoC or is ISRO losing it's sheen & ingenuity?!

Anonymous said...

Pl. Respond to this.

https://mobile.twitter.com/GODOFPARADOXES/status/1452665364219928577

Thanks,
Aman

rad said...


HI Prasun
does it make sense to release gliding bombs at 10,000 meters? they wil get shot by sams.the same was demonstrated by pak -mirages who deployed their glide bombs at low altitudes leading to very sort ranges and also unable to data link to the weapon .
Don tyou thinkthe logical way forward is to power it by an engine or rocket for releasing in low altitude . I belive they are the equal of the Us JDAM?.
what are the chances of again importing 100 odd fighters .. and again depriving funds for the desi programs?.
how large is the submarine data leak by the naval officers?. why are simple prison terms like 10 years awarded whn these turncoas should be shot ?.like else where
there seems to be a smallpatch antenna on the side of the saaw glide bomb .. what could it be for?
why does drdo and every body harp that the saaw is for anti air field attack by hitting installations physically rather than Directed EW.? A antenna nose cone that big does not makes sense forthat? After expending its role the saaw is bound to crash . will the enemy learn anything aboutthe weapon if recovered and copied?

asd said...

Dear Prasun,

You have the last laugh!!!
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/exclusive-india-italy-discuss-lifting-ban-on-italian-defence-sector-giant-leonardo/827897

It's time to celebrate Deepavali now. Truth prevails!!!

Happy Deepavali to Prasun da and all the readers.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

INS Vishakapatnam P-15B DDG with LW-08 air-search radar & 76/62 SRGM:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FC9bj3iVQAEXfQb?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FC9b5aZUcAAoMj9?format=jpg&name=large

To ARUP: It isn't speculation, but merely reading the writing on the wall. Had explained it all numerous times before, i.e. why the project nomenclature was cvhanged from SEF to MRFA.

To MAHESHWARAN SELVARAJ: Nag has already been ordered, while QR-SAM's user-trials are now underway.

To KAUSTAV: VMT. Final assembly of PSLV hasn't been stopped, but the private-sector companies have been contracted for manufacturing the various stages of PSLV that in turn will be assembled by ISRO in launch confguration.

To AMAN: That only goes to show how internet fanboys are blissfully unaware of or have utter disrespect for the laws of physics & mathematics.

To RAD: Well, perhaps that's why the PA has opted for the HQ-9/FD-2000 HIMADS. Such LRGBs can be successfully employed AFTER hostile air-defence networks have been fully neutralised. Tjhe patch on the SAAW is a proximity fuze for self-destruction when the airframe is close to the ground surface. SAAW means anti-airfield weapon. No one from the DRDO has ever claimed that it will have runway-busting warheads. Hence, there is every reason to indicate that such weapons have other targets that exsts in airfields, like ATC centres & ATC radars & air base air-defence systems.

Sanjeev said...

The p-15b looks a lot more cluttered than the 052-d of PLAN. Thoughts?

Praksh said...

Prasun da

https://mobile.twitter.com/CENTCOMUrdu/status/1454149436121178119

What the hell is this?

That's why I like to refer US CENTCOM as CENTCOM/PAKCOM.

https://www.centcom.mil/AREA-OF-RESPONSIBILITY/


Showing whole of J&K including the Indian Part as part of Pakistan.

Will the US INDPACOM dare show Whole of J&K as part of India or even Aksai Chin? No

https://www.pacom.mil/About-USINDOPACOM/USPACOM-Area-of-Responsibility/

Expecting these guys to help us in taking back POK is only wishful thinking.

I know we should up our game first but these things should remain on the back of our minds.

Thanks

Praksh

Parthasarathi said...

Prasunda,
When first time we had Brahmos , China had nothing compared to it ! Now after almost 20 years we are still at Beahmos and China is leader in hypersonic missiles !
Brahmos company CEO used to boost about the effectiveness of Brahmos, now he is also quite.
We are lagging behind at research ! Government funded or private research institutes all are same ! DRDO is an white elephant ! Government should break DRDO into five six smaller research groups ! Useless old aged scientists should be transferred from DRDO to Central Universities as teachers to teach science to students. Research should be in young hands And young scientists from IITs should be given appointments in place of those oldies.
Best regards

Chanakya Chatterjee said...

The 52d is more about IMAGE projection

The 15B is more about power projection



See the details

How high is the radar mast

What is the weaponry onboard


What are the sensors onboard

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE KIFE OF EACH WARRIOR ON BOARD

conscript vs volunteer

rad said...


hi prasun
can the saaw be equiped wiht a ARM nti radiation mode which s not a big deal that could efecrtively take out the radar of the hq-9 etc or the Abhyas which seems very promising as a ARM drone?that can be programmed to fly low level and high speed toweards the target and pop up at the last leg to home in on the radar. of course the hq-9 will be protected by the oerlikon 35 mm guns. how do we deal wihth that?.

Sanjeev said...

On a broad comparison, they both have aesa radar for fire control, have area air defense via vls style missiles and similar displacement. Not sure about the warrior prices etc comment.

Sanjay said...

Mr. Prasun

People who hype BMD should read this.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/16652/missile-defense-madness-myth-of-perfect-patriots-magic-thaad-and-the-icbm-shield

If this the status of US BMD then don't even talk about our BMD.

Thank you

Sanjay

Unknown said...

Dear prasoon..for an a new.innovation, that has both hardware and software, what is the best method to intellectually protect it..should it be patent filing with all details or some protection can be given to software part that gives the intelligence to the machine..please share your advise as i am planning to work on something similar to this

Regards

Kun

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PARTHASARATHY: What research??? And what breakthrough discoveries from those categorised by the DRDO as being ‘scientists’ have been made to date??? Had any such feat been achieved, then by now some or even one of them would have been nominated for the Nobel Prize. Almost all those classified as ‘scientists’ are in fact engineers with easy access to already-declassified engineering/industrial patents originating from other countries.For instance, indigensation of hypersonic air-vehicles of any kind isn’t a scientific discovery, since the foundational laws & technologies for hypersonic flight were established in the West & the USSR back in the 1960s itself.

To SANJEEV & CHANAKYA CHATTERJEE: While the Project 15A & Project 15B DDGs score over the PLAN’s Type 052D DDGs in terms of mission electronics, the latter is superior when it comes to the weapons package simply because of its universal VLS cells that enable it to carry a larger quantum LR-SAMs, ASCMs, land-attack cruise missiles & rocket-launched torpedoes—all of which can be launched from such VLS cells. In case of the Project 15A & Project 15B DDGs, separate types of VLS cells are reqd for Barak-8 LR-SAM & BrahMos-1 ASCM, while there is no provision for carrying land-attack cruise missiles.

To RAD: All ARMs are supersonic, whereas SAAW isn’t.

To UNKNOWN/KUNAL: It is a combination of patent-filing to secure the intellectual property rights, as well as an encryption system that is available for conditional release/sharing.

Unknown said...

Thanks prasoon..can you ease share any link to a document or webportal that can give me.idea of patenting and encryption system..any consultancy or legal advisor u suggest, please advise.

Thankyou so much for your support

Best Wishes

Kunal

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To UNKNOWN/KUNAL: For you the best mentors & advisers on this issue will be FICCI & SIDM, which have already advised several MSMEs on such issues.